A major controversy happened when Jonny Bairstow was dismissed on Day 5 of the Lord’s Test in the ongoing Ashes 2023. Bairstow came to the crease after Ben Duckett was dismissed but Bairstow’s stay at the crease was short-lived. He managed just 10 runs with 2 boundaries but it was his dismissal that stirred controversy.
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The English batter was dismissed in a bizarre manner. In the last ball of the 51st over, Cameron Green bowled a short wide ball which was conveniently left by Bairstow as he started to prepare for the next over. He left the crease gingerly to have a small chat with his partner Ben Stokes who was at the non-striker’s end.
And this is where the controversy begins. Seeing the batter out of the crease, wicketkeeper Alex Carey who picked the ball immediately threw it stumps to dislodge it. The Australian players immediately appealed to the umpire to raise his finger and signal out. Usually, when the ball reaches the keeper and the players prepare for the next over, the ball is considered dead.
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The players immediately join in a conversation as the Aussie players are convinced that the ball was not dead and parse in the play. It was, however, Bairstow who was at fault for not checking on Carey before casually walking off from his crease to have a chat with his partner.
As far as the rules go, the batter is not allowed to leave the crease and cross over to meet his partner until the ball is dead. Therefore it can be said that the Australians were correct in their rights to come and challenge their decision.
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